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Pre-K
Prior to beginning school, I had lots of books at home! I read 'series' type books such as Arthur and Berenstein Bears. I also engaged in watching the TV shows of these books; this demonstrates to me that I really liked the characters in these books and really connected enough to want to watch these characters in action rather than simply reading about them. This will assist me in teaching my students the importance of character development and student interest! -
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My Literacy History
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Kindergarten - Grade 2
Starting school, my parents expected I would do well because my sister had suceeded in literacy. I, surprisingly to them, struggled very much with reading. I recall crying at home because I was not excelling in reading. I did not see myself as very smart; however I did do well in every other subject. I just struggled with reading throughout my early years, causing a lot of feelings of frustration surrounding literacy. This helps me as a teacher; I know how struggling students are feeling. -
Grade 3
This was my most influential year in terms of my literacy experience. I went to the eye doctor during my grade two year and was given glasses! This almost immediately solved my issues with reading.. I just could not see what I was supposed to be reading. I quickly caught up with my classmates and ended up being placed in the gifted program starting in grade 3. I moved to a new school and started loving literacy again. This shows my understanding of physical limitations for students in literacy. -
Grades 4-6
Although my literacy skills improved, my early frustrations surrounding reading had an effect on my reading habits throughout these grades. That being said, I was very interested in writing; specifically creative writing. I often wrote long and detailed stories throughout my elementary school education and I also wrote on my free time. I hope to pass on my passion for creative writing to my students! -
Grades 7-8
My love of literacy (and school in general) diminished slightly.. I recall doing many novel studies, speeches, and also having a terrible and boring spelling class with a rotary teacher. These two years definitely demonstrated to me the teacher I did not want to be; I want literacy to always be relevant to my students. -
High School (Grades 9-12)
High school English was a mix of good and bad for me. I loved studying Shakespeare but hated the other novel studies we had to do (Diary of Anne Frank, The Great Gatsby, Grapes of Wrath, etc...). By having to read a teacher-selected book and complete activities on it, my distaste of reading for pleasure increased. I don't remember reading a book that wasn't for school for my entire high school career (except maybe Harry Potter..). This demonstrates the importance of student choice to me! -
Undergraduate Degree
After high school, my experience with literacy quickly became reading textbooks and writing essays. I did not read for pleasure and saw literacy as a necessary skills rather than a passion or topic. This lasted for four long years of my life and it is my hope that I do not relay that to my students.. I want my students to be passionate about literacy activities, not just complete them because they have to. -
Present Day (Teacher's College)
This brings me to today... I have not written for fun since grade school and I occasionally read for pleasure (still typically books that come from a series, i.e - The Hunger Games). That being said, my appreciation for literacy activites (especially writing) still exists, I just do not partake in those activities. My experience overall in literacy has been a roller coaster to say the least, and I still need to learn a lot more before I will feel confident as a literacy teacher.
